Managing home inventory

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the present invention, a storage area is provided within a particular home for storing food-related items. A database of intended food-related inventory items for the storage area is adjusted by a controller according to food-related inventory preferences received at the controller. The controller updates the database of intended food-related inventory items according to inputs from a monitoring device that monitors the addition and removal of food-related items within the storage area. A communication medium coupled to the controller transmits a selection of items from among the database of intended inventory items that are absent from the storage area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to the following co-pendingapplications, which are filed on even date herewith and incorporatedherein by reference:

(1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/560,317;

(2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/560,317; and

(3) U.S. patent application Ser. No 09/560,319.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates in general to a storage monitor and, inparticular, to a method, system, and program for electronically managinga storage area. Still more particularly, the present invention relatesto a method, system and program for managing inventory of a storage areaaccording to food-related inventory preferences for a particular user.

2. Description of the Related Art

A number of smart kitchen systems have been proposed to monitor fooditems within storage areas of the kitchen. Storage areas might includerefrigerators, freezers, pantries and other storage areas within akitchen. These kitchen monitoring systems often utilize bar codescanners, electronic tag sensors and other methods to detect theaddition and removal of items within a particular storage area or areas.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,694 provides for monitoring thetemperature, humidity and acidity of a food item in order to determinewhether the food item is suitable for consumption. Specializedcontainers include components for tracking the temperature and humidityexposure of the food in the container and transmitting the monitoredtemperatures.

However, while existing smart kitchen systems provide for monitoringfood items, maintaining a list of current food items and monitoring thesuitability of items for consumption, these smart kitchens do not managethe inventory according to inventory related preferences for aparticular user or a particular home. In addition, these smart kitchensdo not manage inventory according to meal plans, weather conditions,seasonal items, etc. for a particular user or a particular home.Moreover, these smart kitchens do not provide a listing of food-relateditems that are absent from a kitchen such that these food items may beordered or added to an electronic grocery list.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved storage monitoring system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod, system and program for electronically managing a storage area.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod, system and program for managing inventory of a storage areaaccording to food-related inventory preferences for a particular user.

In accordance with the method, system and program of the presentinvention, a storage area is provided within a particular home forstoring food-related items. A database of intended food-relatedinventory items for the a storage area is adjusted by a controlleraccording to food-related inventory preferences received at thecontroller. The controller updates the database of intended food-relatedinventory items according to inputs from a monitoring device thatmonitors the addition and removal of food-related items within thestorage area. A communication medium coupled to the controller transmitsa selection of items from among the database of intended inventory itemsthat are absent from the storage area.

All objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent in the following detailed written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as apreferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will bestbe understood by reference to the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a data processing system with which themethod, system and program of the present invention may advantageouslybe utilized;

FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a block diagram of anelectronic storage management system in accordance with the method,system, and program of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a second embodiment of a block diagram of an electronicstorage management system in accordance with the method, system, andprogram of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a block diagram of a store inventorymanagement system in accordance with the method, system, and program ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a high level logic flowchart of aprocess and program for controlling a storage area in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a high level logic flowchart of aprocess and program for monitoring a storage area in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a high level logic flowchart of aprocess and program for monitoring store inventory in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention may be executed in a variety of systems, includinga variety of computing systems and electronic devices under a number ofdifferent operating systems. In a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the computer system that incorporates communication featuresthat provide for telephony, enhanced telephony, messaging andinformation services. Preferably, in order to enable at least one ofthese communication features, the computer system is able to beconnected to a network, such as the Internet by either a wired link orwireless link. In addition, the computer system may be a stand-alonesystem or part of a network such as a local-area network (LAN) or awide-area network (WAN). Therefore, in general, the present invention ispreferably executed in a computer system that performs computing taskssuch as manipulating data in storage that is accessible to the computersystem. In addition, the computer system includes at least one outputdevice and at least one input device.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there isdepicted a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system that mayutilize the present invention. As depicted, data processing system 10includes at least one processor 12, which is coupled to system bus 11.Each processor 12 is a general-purpose processor, such as IBM's PowerPC™processor that, during normal operation, processes data under thecontrol of operating system and application software stored in randomaccess memory (RAM) 14 and Read Only Memory (ROM) 13. The operatingsystem preferably provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to the user.Application software contains instructions that when executed onprocessor 12 carry out the operations depicted in the flowcharts ofFIGS. 5, 6, 7 and others described herein.

Processors 12 are coupled via system bus 11 and Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) host bridge 16 to PCI local bus 20. PCI host bridge16 provides a low latency path through which processor 12 may directlyaccess PCI devices mapped anywhere within bus memory and/or I/O addressspaces. PCI host bridge 16 also provides a high bandwidth path forallowing PCI devices to directly access RAM 14.

PCI local bus 20 interconnects a number of devices for communicationunder the control of PCI controller 30. These devices include a SmallComputer System Interface (SCSI) controller 18, which provides aninterface to SCSI hard disk 19, and communications adapter(s) 15, whichinterface data processing system 10 to at least one data communicationnetwork 17 comprising wired and/or wireless network communications. Inaddition, an audio adapter 23 is attached to PCI local bus 20 forcontrolling audio output through speaker 24. A graphics adapter 21 isalso attached to PCI local bus 20 for controlling visual output throughdisplay monitor 22. In alternate embodiments of the present invention,additional peripheral components may be added. For example, in alternateembodiments, a tactile display component may be provided.

PCI local bus 20 is further coupled to an Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus 25 by an expansion bus bridge 29. As shown, ISA bus 25 has anattached I/O (Input/Output) controller 34 that interfaces dataprocessing system 10 to peripheral input devices such as a keyboard andmouse (not illustrated) and supports external communication viaparallel, serial and universal serial bus (USB) ports 26, 27, and 28,respectively.

With reference now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a first embodiment ofa block diagram of an electronic storage management system in accordancewith the method, system, and program of the present invention. Asdepicted, controller 38 may be as computer system, such as dataprocessing system 10, depicted in FIG. 1.

Controller 38 may communicate with a storage area 40 via abi-directional communications medium (or across a communicationinterface). In addition, controller 38 may communicate with a personalstorage device 60 that includes food-related inventory preferences 62for a particular user. Moreover, controller 38 may communicate with aportable computer system 70 that includes food-related inventorypreferences 72 for a particular user. Furthermore, controller 38 maycommunicate with a universally accessible database 80 that includes anidentifier directory 82.

The communications medium may include wired or wireless communicationsor other communications media that enables bi-directional transmissionof data. Moreover, the communications medium may include a link to anetwork, such as the Internet, or a direct data link.

In a wired embodiment of the communications medium, for example, storagearea 40 connects to controller 38 via parallel, serial, or USB ports, orthe communication adapter as depicted in FIG. 1. In a wirelessembodiment of the communications medium, for example, storage area 40 iswirelessly connected to controller 38 via infrared, radio frequency(RF), cellular and other wireless transmissions which are detected bycontroller 38.

Data exchange across the communications medium is advantageouslyperformed in at least one of multiple available data transmissionprotocols and is preferably supported by a common data structure format,such as the extensible mark-up language (XML) data structure format.Data transmission protocols may include, but are not limited to,Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet a Protocol (IP), HypertextTransfer Protocol (HTTP), and Bluetooth. In addition, data may betransmitted in a secure manner via encryption or by technologies, suchas secure socket layer (SSL) or virtual private networks (VPN).

An example of an XML data file that might be transmitted from storagearea 40 to controller 38, as depicted below, preferably contains datathat is distinguished by attributes on elements and may be wrapperedwithin a larger element. For example, the data attributed to element“<TimeStamp> </TimeStamp>” designates the time that the data wasattributed to the XML data file.

<FOOD ITEM TimeStamp=“888965153” MachineID=“77”MachineName=“Refrigerator” FoodAdd=“Pickles” FoodAddAmount=“16 oz”FoodRemove=“Wheat Bread” FoodRemoveAmount=“2 slices”>

A second example of the same data in an alternate XML data format thatincludes elements is illustrated below.

<TimeStamp>888965153</TimeStamp>

<MachineID>77</MachineID>

<MachineName>Refrigerator</MachineName>

<FoodAdd>Pickles</FoodAdd>

<FoodAddAmount>16 oz</FoodAddAmount>

<FoodRemove>Wheat Bread</FoodRemove>

<FoodRemoveAmount>2 slices</FoodRemoveAmount>

In the example, 16 oz. of pickles are added to a refrigerator with amachine id of “77”. In addition, two slices of wheat bread are removedfrom the refrigerator.

In addition, in the example of the XML data format as the commontransmittable data format, a data validation file such as a documenttype definition (DTD) or schema is preferably utilized to validate XMLdata files. In addition, a schema preferably translates multiple XMLdata files. Moreover, a style sheet such as an extensible style sheetlanguage (XSL) file is preferably utilized to provide a stylespecification for the XML data at the receiving system. In particular,DTDs, schemas, and XSL files may be, for example, transmitted with anXML data file to a receiving system or downloaded at the receivingsystem from an alternate source. In the present example, the DTD orschema would verify that all the data required for a food addition orremoval is included in the XML data file.

Storage area 40 is advantageously a defined storage area for food andhome related products. Examples of storage area 40 include, but are notlimited to, a refrigerator, a freezer, a pantry, a storage closet and afood container. Food and home related products preferably includeperishables, non-perishables, appliances and kitchen tools. Food andhome related products in general will from here on be referred to asfood-related items. Non-perishables are preferably defined to includeall non-perishable inventory within a home such as food-relatednon-perishables and toiletries. Kitchen tools are preferably defined toinclude non-appliance kitchen items such as utensils, dishware,cookware, bakeware, etc.

Storage area 40 advantageously includes multiple food-related items 42a–42 n, where the status of food-related items 42 a–42 n within storagearea 40 is monitored according to a monitoring system 44. In addition,storage area 40 may include multiple partitions where monitoring system44 monitors the status of food-related items 42 a–42 n within each ofthe multiple partitions. Particular sections of storage area 40 may bedesignated for a particular type of food-related item and the presenceof that food-related item monitored by monitoring system 44. Forexample, a refrigerator may include a specific section for milk wherebythe presence of milk within the refrigerator is monitored.

Monitoring system 44 may monitor the addition and removal offood-related items 42 a–42 n utilizing multiple diverse methodsincluding, but not limited to, RF broadcasts, bar code scanning,infrared scanning, and semi-manual cataloging. In addition, alternateforms of tracking the status of food-related items 42 a–42 n may beutilized. Moreover, multiple types of hardware may be included withstorage area 40 and/or controller 38 in order to implement monitoringsystem 44.

In an example, monitoring system 44 includes a bar code scanner thatreads the bar codes of food-related items added to an removed fromstorage area 40. Controller 38 advantageously accesses a database of barcodes with associated food-related item descriptions in order toidentify food-related items according to bar code scanning. An infraredscanner detects the amount remaining of each food-related item. A keypadis provided for a user to enter an identifier or description offood-related items that do not include a bar code for scanning.

Monitoring system 44 preferably transmits inventory adjustments instorage area 40 to controller 38 in the common transmittable data formatvia a communications medium. Advantageously, monitoring system 44 storesinventory adjustments until accessed at controller 38.

In addition, storage area 40 is controlled by a climate controller 46.Climate controller 46 advantageously adjusts multiple parameters of aclimate including, but not limited to, temperature and humidity,according to a climate control setting received from controller 38. Inparticular, for storage area 40 with multiple partitions, climatecontroller 46 may control the climate within each of the multiplepartitions, such that a single storage area includes multiplepartitioned climates.

Controller 38 includes an inventory control application 50, an intendedfood-related inventory database 52 and an absent food-related itemsdatabase 54 within a data storage medium 51. In the present embodiment,data storage medium 51 is depicted as locally accessible to controller38, however in alternate embodiments, data storage medium may beexternally or remotely accessible to controller 38.

Intended food-related inventory database 52 advantageously comprises adatabase of food-related items that are intended to be in storageaccording to storage needs for a particular user or a particular kitchenarea and the current status of those food-related items in storage area40. A listing of food-related items in intended food-related inventorydatabase 52 is preferably compiled from multiple sources.

First, a base of items that should be maintained in storage for aparticular kitchen area is included in intended food-related inventorydatabase 52. For example, a suite may include a base of items thatshould be maintained in storage within a refrigerator, freezer and/orpantry of the suite. In another example, a particular amount of flourand sugar that should be maintained in storage for a pantry of aparticular commercial kitchen may be included in a base of items.Moreover, in another example, particular snacks that should bemaintained in storage in a pantry of a particular residence may beincluded in a base of items.

Second, food-related inventory preferences for a particular user, usersor kitchen area are included in intended food-related inventory database52. Food-related inventory preferences may include specified foodpreferences for a user and may include a listing of food-related itemsneeds for meal plans scheduled for the particular user or kitchen area.For example, a particular user may include a specified preference for aparticular amount of a particular type of cola to be maintained at theparticular user's residence and at any suites that the user stays atwhile on business travel. Advantageously, food-related inventorypreferences may be distinguished according to whether they are intendedfor a residence or for a temporary living space.

In another example, a scheduled meal plan for a kitchen area may includea listing of food-related items and amounts that are necessary forpreparing the scheduled meal plan. A scheduled meal plan and necessaryfood-related items are advantageously determined by an electroniccookbook as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/560,380,herein incorporated by reference.

For the purpose of example, an XML data file that includes food-relatedinventory preferences for a particular user is depicted below. In theexample, food-related inventory preferences for the user “EvanT” areincluded. The user indicates the need for two eggs for use on Feb. 10,2001 according to an electronic recipe that is schedule for preparationon that day. In addition, the user indicates a preference for a gallonof milk per week.

<TimeStamp>888965153</TimeStamp>

<UserID>EvanT</UserID>

<FoodPref>eggs,2,2/20/01</FoodPref>

<FoodPref>milk,1 gallon,week</FoodPref>

Third, food-related items to be included in intended food-relatedinventory database 52 may be entered by a user via input interface 36.Input interface may include multiple types of devices including, but notlimited to, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, and a vocal detection system.

In addition, food-related preferences advantageously include preferredclimates at which the food-related items should be stored. For example,food-related preferences may include a particular brand of butter and apreferred temperature at which the butter should be maintained. Forexample, a user may prefer that the butter is stored so that the butteris soft when removed from the refrigerator.

Food-related inventory preferences for a user or kitchen area may bereceived at controller 38 via multiple devices. In a first example, apersonal storage device adapter 64 coupled to controller 38 may detectfood-related inventory preferences 62 from personal storage device 60.Examples of personal storage device 60 include, but are not limited to,a smart card and an ibutton™ (ibutton is a trademark of DallasSemiconductor, Inc.). In another example, a user may enter food-relatedinventory preferences via input interface 36.

In another example, food-related inventory preferences 72 may bedetected from a portable computer system 70 at controller 38 via acommunications medium. Portable computer system 70 may include, but isnot limited to including, a palm-top computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a cellular or digital telephone, or a notebookcomputer.

In still another example, food-related inventory preferences 86 a–86 nmay be detected at controller 38 from remote server systems 84 a–84 nvia universally accessible database 80. A particular universalidentifier may be transmitted from controller 38 to universallyaccessible database 80 where the particular universal identifier islooked up in identifier directory 82. The listings for multipleuniversal identifier accounts, that are stored in identifier directory82, point to the server address of the remote server system from amongremote server systems 84 a–84 n where the data for each universalidentifier account is stored and may include other data about theuniversal identifier account, such as the owner of the account,passwords for access to the account, etc. Universally accessibledatabase 80 may include a single server system or multiple serversystems that provide universal access to the listings of universalidentifier accounts.

In the present example, a universal identifier advantageously includesan alphanumeric identifier, such as a web page identifier, that may beutilized to access data stored at a particular server that includesfood-related inventory preferences for a particular user. In theexample, a first universal identifier may be associated withfood-related inventory preferences 86 a of remote server system 84 a fora first user, while a second universal identifier is associated withfood-related inventory preferences 86 n of remote server system 84 n fora second user. Remote server systems 84 a–84 n may include systemsincluding, but not limited to, home computer systems, data storageprovider server, web applications servers (WAPs), portable computers,and mainframes.

Inventory control application 50 preferably updates intendedfood-related inventory database 52 with base items for a particularkitchen area and with food-related inventory preferences for aparticular kitchen area and/or user. In addition, inventory controlapplication 50 advantageously adjusts intended food-related inventorydatabase 52 according to food-related item status updates received frommonitoring system 44. For example, if a can of a particular type of colais removed from storage device 40, monitoring system 44 updatescontroller 38 according to the removal and inventory control application50 reduces the number of cans of the particular type of cola included inintended food-related inventory database 52 by one.

In addition inventory control application 50 advantageously adjustsabsent food-related items 54 in response to updating and adjustingintended food-related inventory database 52. Absent food-related items54 preferably includes all items for which an expected amount isincluded in intended food-related inventory database 52, however thatamount is not present in storage area 40. For example, if storage area40 is intended to contain fourteen eggs, where six eggs are required asbase items for a kitchen area, four eggs are intended for cookingomelets the next morning and four more eggs are intended for baking acake in two days, however storage area 40 only contains nine eggs, thenabsent food-related items 54 would indicate that five eggs are absentfrom the intended inventory.

In addition, a recommended date by which the inventory item needs to beavailable is advantageously included in absent food-related items 54. Inthe egg example above, the egg inventory would be recommended forpurchase within the next two days so that the cake can be prepared.

Absent food-related items 54 are preferably transmitted in the commontransmittable protocol from controller 38 via a communications medium.Advantageously, absent food-related items 54 are transmitted to anelectronic market device such as the electronic market device describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/560,319, herein incorporated byreference, that places orders for absent food-related items 54 at one ormultiple retailers.

In one example of an application of the present invention, storage area40 monitors food-related items in a pantry. Food-related inventorypreferences for each of the members of the household have been retrievedinto intended food-related inventory database 52. In particular,food-related inventory preferences for the primary chef of the householdinclude food-related inventory preferences for upcoming scheduled meals.Controller 38 continuously updates absent food-related items 54according to monitored inventory by monitoring system 44. Portablecomputer system 70 for the primary chef of the household retrievesabsent food-related items 54 from controller 38 prior to going shopping,such that portable computer system 70 comprises an electronic shoppinglist for the household.

In another example, when a user arrives at a hotel suite or othertemporary living space, the user proffers his/her personal storagedevice 60 to personal storage device adapter 64 coupled to a controllerfor a kitchenette within the suite that monitors food-related itemstorage for the pantries and refrigerator. Intended food-relatedinventory database 52 includes base food-related inventory preferencesthat are determined by the hotel suite to be maintained. For example, asupply of coffee, drinks and popcorn packages may be included in thebase food-related items. In addition, the food-related inventorypreferences 62 for the user are retrieved and updated in intendedfood-related inventory database 52. Advantageously, a user may includein food-related inventory preferences specific food-related items thatare preferred when traveling, as opposed to being at home. Absentfood-related items database 54 is updated and a list of absentfood-related items is transmitted to a central server system for thehotel from which orders may be made to purchase the absent food-relateditems. The user's account may be automatically debited according to thepurchases and the absent food-related items provided in the user's hotelsuite.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a second embodiment of ablock diagram of an electronic storage management system in accordancewith the method, system, and program of the present invention. Asdepicted, portable computer system 70 functions as a controller formultiple storage areas 40 and 90 that represent multiple, diversestorage areas and may be located at remote locations from one another.

Storage area 90 includes items 92 a–92 n, a monitoring system 94 and aclimate controller 96. Monitoring system 94 and climate controller 96preferably function to monitor current inventory and control the climateof the current inventory.

Portable computer system 70 includes inventory control application 50,intended food-related inventory database 52, absent food-related items54 and food-related inventory preferences 72. Input to portable computersystem 70 may be provided via input interface 98 and/or a communicationsmedium where an alternate data processing systems provides data. Inaddition, output from portable computer system 70 may be provided byoutput interface 99.

Portable computer system 70 preferably functions to perform all thefunctions of controller 38 of FIG. 2 and of portable computer system 70of FIG. 2. A user may retrieve inventory updates from each of storageareas 40 and 90 and update climate controllers 46 and 96 according tofood-related inventory climate preferences.

Advantageously, each of storage areas 40 and 90 maintains a database ofcurrent inventory adjustments such that when portable computer system 70interfaces with either storage area 40 or 90, the database of currentinventory adjustments is transferable. In addition, advantageously,portable computer system 70 may be utilized to control multiple storageareas that lack controllers and/or portable computer system 70 maycooperatively control multiple storage areas with accessible controllersfor the storage areas. In addition, portable computer system 70 maymonitor items entering and leaving a storage area.

In an application of the present invention, each of storage areas 40 and90 maintains a current inventory of food-related items within aparticular household. A member of a household retrieves currentinventories for storage areas 40 and 90 at portable computer system 70and thereby has an electronic shopping list for multiple storage areaswithin a household.

With reference now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated an embodiment of ablock diagram of a store inventory management system in accordance withthe method, system, and program of the present invention. As depicted,each of storage area for home A 110, storage area for home B 120, remoteserver systems 84 a–84 n, universally accessible database 80 and storecomputer system 150 access a network 146 via a communication medium thatenables bi-directional communication between the devices. Network 146advantageously includes the Internet and other universally accessiblenetworks, however may include other types of networks, such as a localarea network (LAN).

Storage area for home A 110 preferably monitors at least one storagearea within a home A and advantageously includes multiple items 112a–112 n, a monitoring system 114 and a climate controller 116. Storagearea for home N 120 preferably monitors at least one storage area withina home N and advantageously includes multiple items 122 a–122 n, amonitoring system 124 and a climate controller 126.

Storage area for home A 110 advantageously transmits a monitoredinventory according to a universal identifier associated with home A toremote server system 84 a. In particular, storage area for home A 110may transmit monitored inventory with a universal identifier that isassociated with storage area for home A to network 146. The universalidentifier associated with home A is transmitted to universallyaccessible database 80 and looked up in identifier directory 82. Anaddress for the remote server system associated with the universalidentifier is determined (in this case an address for remote serversystem 84 a) and a communication link between storage area for home A110 and remote server system 84 a is established.

The monitored inventory received at remote server system 84 a from homeA 110 would then be utilized by inventory control application 134 a toupdate intended food-related inventory database 136 a according to themonitored data and therefore update absent food-related items accordingto the monitored data. Remote server system 84 a preferably includesfood-related inventory preferences 86 a for a particular user or usersthat are also utilized by inventory control application 134 a to updateintended food-related inventory database 136 a and that may be adjustedby accessing remote server system 84 a.

In addition, storage area for home N 120 advantageously transmits amonitored inventory according to a universal identifier associated withhome N to remote server system 84 n. In particular, storage area forhome N 120 may transmit monitored inventory with a universal identifierthat is associated with storage area for home N to network 146. Theuniversal identifier associated with home N is transmitted touniversally accessible database 80 and looked up in identifier directory82. An address for the remote server system associated with theuniversal identifier is determined (in this case an address for remoteserver system 84 n) and a communication link between storage area forhome N 120 and remote server system 84 n is established.

The monitored inventory received at remote server system 84 n from homeN 120 would then be utilized by inventory control application 134 n toupdate intended food-related inventory database 136 n according to themonitored data and therefore update absent food-related items accordingto the monitored data. Remote server system 84 n preferably includesfood-related inventory preferences 86 n for a particular user or usersthat are also utilized by inventory control application 134 n to updateintended food-related inventory database 136 n and that may be adjustedby accessing remote server system 84 n.

A user may advantageously designate that absent food-related items areto be broadcasted from the user's universal account to a particularuniversal identifier at a periodic rate, continuously, or alternatively,a user may provide a universal identifier to a particular retailer, suchas a grocery store, whereby the retailer can monitor absent food-relateditems from the associated remote server system.

In the present example, store computer system 150 advantageouslyincludes a customer universal identifier database 160 that includesuniversal identifiers provided by multiple customers to the store. Storecomputer system 150 is advantageously enabled to transmit any of theuniversal identifiers to network 146 and access absent food-relateditems and the intended food-related inventory database from the remoteserver system associated with the universal identifier. For example,store computer system 150 may include a universal identifier associatedwith home A. In response to transmitting the universal identifierassociated with home A to universally accessible database 80, the storewould preferably receive access to intended food-related items database136 a and absent food-related items database 138 a for home A.

An inventory control application 158 executing on store computer system150 advantageously utilizes accessed absent food-related items databaseto determine whether or not additional orders for particularfood-related items need to be ordered. In particular, inventory controlapplication 158 compares a current food-related inventory database 152for the store, a food-related orders database 154, and a history offood-related inventory database 158 to determine whether or notadditional orders for particular food-related items need to be orderedin response to the absent food-related items databases received frommultiple homes.

Current food-related inventory database 152 is adjusted by inventorycontrol application 158 according to current purchases made at the storeand on-line and entry of expired food items. Food-related ordersdatabase 154 preferably includes current orders for the store andexpected arrival times. History of food-related inventory database 158includes a history of inventory and purchases that is searchableaccording to multiple types of criteria, such as a particular productand a particular time period.

In determining food orders, a history of inventory and purchases isconsulted in order to determine average flow for a particular productand/or time period. For example, purchases of pumpkin filling the prioryear during the months of November and December may be utilized toestimate pumpkin filling purchases for a subsequent year during the samemonths. However, in analyzing the intended food-related inventorydatabases accessed for multiple customers, it may be determined thatmany households have extra cans of pumpkin filling still in inventoryfrom the previous year that is still usable and therefore thosehouseholds will not purchase pumpkin filling that year. Alternatively,absent food-related items databases from multiple households mayindicate that each household will be purchasing multiple cans of pumpkinfilling and therefore an additional order of pumpkin filling needs to beplaced.

In addition, inventory control application 158 may utilize absentfood-related items accessed for multiple households in order todetermine use of shelf space. For example, if a large percentage ofhouseholds polled are including a particular brand of water in theirpreferred inventory over other brands of water, then the particularbrand of water may be provided more shelf space. In addition, ifmultiple households include a particular product, such as a specializedcheese in their preferred inventory, but the store does not stock thespecialized cheese, the store may determine to place an order andprovide shelf space for the specialized cheese.

Moreover, inventory control application 158 may utilize absentfood-related items to select electronic coupons that should be offeredto particular households or to any household. Electronic coupons andspecial offerings for brands of products that are absent in a householdmay be transmitted with the universal identifier for the household toone of remote server systems 84 a–84 n.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is depicted an embodiment of a high levellogic flowchart of a process and program for controlling a storage areain accordance with the present invention. As depicted, the processstarts at block 200 and thereafter proceeds to block 202. Block 202illustrates a determination as to whether or not a new food-related itemis detected in the storage area. If a new food-related item is notdetected, then the process passes to block 206. If a new food-relateditem is detected, then the process passes to block 204. Block 204depicts recording an addition of a food-related item, amount and storagearea location; and the process passes to block 206.

Block 206 illustrates a determination as to whether or not removal of afood-related item is detected from the storage area. If removal of afood-related item is not detected, then the process passes to block 210.If removal of a food-related item is detected, then the process passesto block 208. Block 208 depicts recording a removal of a food-relateditem, amount and storage area location; and the process passes to block210.

Block 210 depicts a determination as to whether or not a controller forthe storage area is detected. If a controller is not detected, then theprocess ends. If a controller is detected, then the process passes toblock 212. Block 212 illustrates transmitting any records of additionsand removals from the storage area to the controller. Next, block 214depicts a determination as to whether or not new climate controlpreferences are received for the storage medium. If new climate controlpreferences are not received, then the process ends. If new climatecontrol preferences are received, then the process passes to block 216.Block 216 illustrates adjusting the climate controller according to thelocations of the food-related items for which new climate controlpreferences are received; and the process ends.

With reference now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an embodiment of ahigh level logic flowchart of a process and program for monitoring astorage area in accordance with the present invention. As depicted, theprocess starts at block 220 and thereafter proceeds to block 222. Block222 illustrates a determination as to whether or not a record ofadditions and removals from a storage area is received at a controller.The controller may be, for example, permanently coupled to the storagearea, temporarily coupled to the storage area or remotely coupled to thestorage area via a network. If a record is not received, then theprocess passes to block 228. If a record is received, then the processpasses to block 224. Block 224 depicts adjusting the intendedfood-related inventory database according to the additions and removals.Next, block 226 illustrates updating absent food-related items accordingto the additions and removals; and the process passes to block 226.

Block 226 depicts a determination as to whether or not food-relatedinventory preferences are received at the controller. If food-relatedinventory preferences are not received, then the process passes to block240. If food-related inventory preferences are received, then theprocess passes to block 230. Block 230 illustrates adjusting theintended food-related inventory according to the food-related inventorypreferences. Next, block 232 depicts updating the absent food-relateditems according to the food-related inventory preferences; and theprocess passes to block 234.

Block 234 illustrates a determination as to whether or not new climatecontrol preferences are included with the food-related inventorypreferences. If new climate control preferences are not included, thenthe process passes to block 240. If new climate control preferences areincluded, then the process passes to block 236. Block 236 depictsadjusting climate control preferences for the intended food-relatedinventory according to the climate control preferences. Next, block 238illustrates transmitting the climate control signal for the new climatecontrol preferences to the storage area; and the process passes to block240.

Block 240 depicts a determination as to whether or not a request forabsent food-related items is received from a particular requestor. If arequest is not received, then the process ends. If a request isreceived, then the process passes to block 242. Block 242 illustrates adetermination as to whether or not the requester is allowed to accessthe absent food-related items for the user. If the requestor is notallowed access, then the process ends. If the requester is allowedaccess, then the process passes to block 244. Block 244 depictstransmitting the absent food-related items to the requester; and theprocess ends.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is depicted an embodiment of a high levellogic flowchart of a process and program for monitoring store inventoryin accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, the processstarts at block 250 and thereafter proceeds to block 252. Block 252depicts transmitting universal identifiers from a customer database withrequests for absent food-related items to a universally accessibledatabase. Next, block 254 illustrates a determination as to whether ornot absent food-related items are received in return. Ifabsent-food-related items are not received, then the process passes toblock 262. If absent food-related items are received, then the processpasses to block 256.

Block 256 depicts comparing the absent food-related items for multiplehouseholds with current food-related inventory, food-related orders andinventory history. Next, block 258 illustrates a determination as towhether not additional inventory is needed in response to thecomparison. If additional inventory is not needed, then the processpasses to bloc 262. If additional inventory is needed, then the processpasses to block 260. Block 260 depicts preparing orders for additionalinventory; and the process passes to block 262.

Block 262 illustrates a determination as to whether or not purchaseindicators are received. If purchase indicators are not received, thenthe process ends. If purchase indicators are received, then the processpasses to block 264. Block 264 depicts updating the current food-relatedinventory database according to the purchase indicators. Next, block 266illustrates storing purchase indicators in the inventory historydatabase according to the universal identifier for the purchaser; andthe process ends.

It is important to note that, although the present invention has beendescribed in the context of a fully functional computer system, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the presentinvention are capable of being distributed as a program product in avariety of forms, and that the present invention applies equallyregardless of the particular type of signal-bearing media utilized toactually carry out the distribution. Examples of signal-bearing mediainclude, but are not limited to, recordable-type media such as floppydisks or CD-ROMs and transmission-type media such as analogue or digitalcommunications links.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method for managing inventory, said method comprising the steps of:receiving food-related inventory preferences for a each of a pluralityof users at a controller for a particular storage area that monitorscurrent food-related inventory in said particular storage area;receiving food-related inventory preferences for a particular user fromamong said plurality of users at said controller from a personalelectronic memory digital data storage device proffered by saidparticular user at said controller; adjusting a current database ofintended food-related inventory for said particular storage area at saidcontroller according to said food-related inventory preferences; anddetermining a selection of food-related items from among said databaseof intended inventory items that are absent from said particular storagearea, such that food-related inventory that is intended for saidparticular storage area is managed.
 2. The method for managing inventoryaccording to claim 1, said step of receiving food-related inventorypreferences for a each of a plurality of users at a controller for aparticular storage area that monitors current food-related inventory insaid particular storage area, further comprising the step of: receivingfood-related inventory preferences for each of said plurality of usersat said controller from a plurality of portable computer systems.
 3. Themethod for managing inventory according to claim 1, said step ofreceiving food-related inventory preferences for a each of a pluralityof users at a controller for a particular storage area that monitorscurrent food-related inventory in said particular storage area, furthercomprising the step of: receiving food-related inventory preferences fora particular user from among said plurality of users at said controllervia a particular universally accessible server system according to aparticular universal identifier associated with said particular user. 4.The method for managing inventory according to claim 1, said step ofreceiving food-related inventory preferences for a each of a pluralityof users at a controller for a particular storage area that monitorscurrent food-related inventory in said particular storage area, furthercomprising the step of: receiving food-related inventory preferences inan extensible mark-up language data format.
 5. The method for managinginventory according to claim 1, said method further comprising the stepof: periodically receiving records of additions and removals offood-related items from said particular storage area at said controller.6. The method for managing inventory according to claim 1, said step ofadjusting a database of intended food-related inventory for saidparticular storage area at said controller according to saidfood-related inventory preferences, further comprising the step of:adding said food-related inventory preferences to a base list of amountsof food-related items intended to be maintained in inventory of saidparticular storage area.
 7. The method for managing inventory accordingto claim 1, said step of adjusting a database of intended food-relatedinventory for said particular storage area at said controller accordingto said food-related inventory preferences, further comprising the stepof: adding said food-related inventory preferences to previouslyreceived food-related inventory preferences for amounts of food-relateditems intended to be maintained in inventory of said particular storagearea.
 8. The method for managing inventory according to claim 1, saidstep of adjusting a database of intended food-related inventory for saidparticular storage area at said controller according to saidfood-related inventory preferences, further comprising the step of:adjusting amounts of food-related items included in said database ofintended food-related inventory according to additions and removal offood-related items detected from said particular storage area.
 9. Themethod for managing inventory according to claim 1, said step ofadjusting a database of intended food-related inventory for saidparticular storage area at said controller according to saidfood-related inventory preferences, further comprising the step of:combining said food-related inventory preferences for each of saidplurality of users.
 10. The method for managing inventory according toclaim 1, said method further comprising the step of: transmitting saidselection of food-related items that are absent from said particularstorage area to a store.
 11. The method for managing inventory accordingto claim 1, said method further comprising the steps of: receiving arequest from a particular store for said selection of food-related itemsthat are absent from said particular storage area at a universallyaccessible server system according to a particular universal identifierassociated with said particular storage area; enabling access to saidselection of food-related items that are absent from said particularstorage area if said particular store is included in a plurality ofallowable requesters for said particular storage area.
 12. A method formanaging inventory by a portable computer system, said method comprisingthe steps of: receiving food-related inventory preferences for each of aplurality of users at a portable computer system that monitors currentfood-related inventory in a particular storage area; receivingfood-related inventory preferences for a particular user from among saidplurality of users at said controller from a personal electronic memorydigital data storage device proffered by said particular user profferedby said particular user at said controller; adjusting a current databaseof intended food-related inventory for said particular storage area atsaid portable computer system according to said food-related inventorypreferences; and determining a selection of food-related items fromamong said database of intended inventory items that are absent fromsaid particular storage area, such that food-related inventory that isintended for said particular storage area is managed by said portablecomputer system.